Thiruvananthapuram: The health department has stepped up H1N1 prevention, control and surveillance in the wake of fresh cases being reported from different parts of the state.
The government has also alerted the respective authorities of other states to avoid the visit of pilgrims with H1N1 symptoms to Sabarimala.
Around 31 H1N1 deaths and 540 confirmed cases were reported in the state this year so far. The health authorities have directed district medical offices to step up screening and testing at every level.
H1N1 state nodal officer Amar Fettle said that 30 per cent of the flu cases were H1N1. He said that 90 to 80 per cent of H1N1 cases come under the mild category.
"We have alerted every health centre at every entry and transit points along the route to Sabarimala to step up surveillance. We have instructed to impart messages in six different languages to bring awareness among pilgrims," said Mr Fettle.
He said that the state is at its peak in the cases and there will be a slow down in the coming two months.
"People develop immunity, and they recover quickly. The disease may turn fatal to people having other underlying health issues or the high-risk group," he added.
